The Voice - Match preview Bradford City vs Rochdale match postponed

League Two Fixture #21

Saturday 17th December 15:00
Bradford City vs Rochdale
Valley Parade (AKA University of Bradford Stadium)

Most Recent Results:

1: Bradford City 1 – 1 Crawley Town
2: Mansfield Town 1 – 2 Bradford City
3: Sutton United 0 – 2 Bradford City
4: Bradford City 1 – 3 Northampton Town
5: Leyton Orient 3 – 0 Bradford City

Form: LLWWD

1: Walsall 1 – 0 Rochdale
2: Rochdale 1 – 0 Salford City
3: Rochdale 0 – 1 Mansfield Town
4: Sutton United 1 – 0 Rochdale
5: Rochdale 1 – 4 Harrogate Town

Form: LLLWL

Head-to-Head Results:

Head-to-Head Form: DWLWL

20 Oct 2018: Bradford City 0 – 2 Rochdale
29 Dec 2018: Rochdale 0 – 4 Bradford City
12 Nov 2019: Bradford City 1 – 2 Rochdale
02 Oct 2021: Bradford City 2 – 0 Rochdale
22 Jan 2022: Rochdale 0 – 0 Bradford City

Head-to-Head Results (All Time):

Won: 48
Drawn: 22
Lost: 28

Biggest Margin of Victory:

29 Nov 1958: Bradford City 7 – 1 Rochdale [League Division Three]
21 Sep 1968: Rochdale 6 – 0 Bradford City [League Division Four]

Spoiler: Historic Results Analysis

Bradford City vs Rochdale is a tie that dates back to 1927, and the two have played each other an astonishing 98 times in total. This weekend will be fixture #99 between City and their Lancashire rivals, and game #100 will take place at Spotland in April 2023.

To date, City have enjoyed a significantly superior head-to-head record, but that has not been borne out in the last five results – the clubs are level pegging with 2 wins and 1 draw apiece. In line with this, results in recent decades have been somewhat erratic, with neither club able to take 6 points off the other since the 1980/81 season, when City beat Rochdale 2-0 away and 2-1 at home.

One interesting aspect of this fixture is that, historically, the clubs have met multiples in every decade except in the 1990's – when City were beginning to enjoy their most successful period as a football club. Out of Rochdale's reach at that point, Bradford City fans might have thought this game would be consigned to the history books in terms of league games – but alas, not so.

City vs Rochdale resumed as an EFL fixture in 2008, when City's fall from grace was complete – from the Premier League to League Two, from Liverpool and Manchester United, to Rochdale...

While City have failed to extract a full quota of 6 points from Rochdale during the last 41 years, they have at least managed to score 4 several times – and 4 points from 2 games has become the most common outcome. Can City finally win home and away? Or will Rochdale continue to frustrate The Bantams?

Rochdale 2022/23:
A heavy home defeat to Harrogate left manager Jim Bentley feeling 'embarrassed'

After a nightmarish start to the League Two campaign, enduring defeats in all of their first 5 league games, Rochdale finally picked up a point at home to fellow strugglers Crawley Town. Things picked up briefly in late September-early October, as 'Dale won 3 out of 4 league games (and 4 out of 5 in all competitions), before they hit the skids once again. 4 points from their last 7 games, including a succession of 1-0 defeats, has Rochdale anchored in 21st place – just 1 point above bottom side Gillingham.

Goals have been a major issue for Jim Bentley's side. The former centre back's men are the second lowest scorers in League Two this season, outscoring only Gillingham. Defensively, Rochdale are nothing special. 29 goals conceded across 20 league games means only 3 other teams have conceded more, despite the vast majority of Rochdale's losses coming by a single goal (Rochdale have lost 1-0 7 times out of 15 total defeats – and have lost 2-1 three times).

While heavy defeats have been few and far between, Rochdale have conceded precisely 3 goals no fewer than 5 times across all competitions; though they were able to draw 2 of those games 3-3.

So what to expect at Valley Parade this weekend, should the game go ahead?

After a crushing 4-1 defeat at Harrogate Town last time out, the pressure is on Rochdale to prove their mettle and show that they truly belong in League Two. Despite taking the lead at home to Harrogate in the 7th minute, it was their North Yorkshire rivals that ran away comfortable winners – with all 4 shots on target beating former Bradford City stopper Richard O'Donnell...

Can ROD play the role of spoiler at Valley Parade? If the vaunted 'law of the ex' is anything to go by, City fans will likely be weary of a top performance from their former 'keeper.

Bradford City 2022/23:
Mark Hughes already active in the transfer market ahead of the January transfer window

Speaking of goalkeepers, Harry Lewis has been a revelation this season – but conceding 6 goals in the last 2 league games has been sobering for a City defensive line that had previously been one of the most reliable in League Two.

Heavy defeats against promotion rivals Northampton Town and Leyton Orient – as well as untimely cup defeat against Salford City – have shaken City fans' beliefs that the club can compete for an automatic promotion spot. Despite low morale in the stands, Mark Hughes' men remain just 6 points from a sought-after top three spot.

In other words, it's not over yet.

Getting back to form is, however, a must for The Bantams. While a trip to bottom side Gillingham was postponed, and while a trip to an equally unimpressive Rochdale is also in jeopardy, it's important that City don't foul fall to the elements and allow a pivotal 3 point haul to escape their grasp. Better to play later than struggle on a poor surface.

If the game does go ahead, all credit must go to the groundsmen – and all credit will be expected to go to Mark Hughes and his team, as nothing less than a win will do. While Rochdale have been able to keep games tight even in defeat, Bradford City fans will want to see their side make up for lost time – and points – by bagging a few goals against a side they have hammered a fair few times in the past.

Highlights:

Bradford City 1 – 3 Northampton Town



Leyton Orient 3 – 0 Bradford City



Sutton United 1 – 0 Rochdale



Rochdale 1 – 4 Harrogate Town



Outlook:

Former Morecambe centre back Jim Bentley was very much a one-club professional for almost 2 decades. After a 9 year spell as a player, Bentley moved into the Shrimpers dug out for another 8 years – a remarkable stint for a head coach in this day and age. Despite eventually being replaced by the more successful Derek Adams (a name that might make Bradford City fans shudder), Bentley has remained an active coach. After dropping down to lead AFC Fylde, Bentley failed to achieve a promotion from the National League North.

It was a surprise, then, to see him being offered the chance to take over the reins at League Two Rochdale – and the gamble is not currently paying off.

In contrast, things have been going well overall for Bradford City this season. Sat in the play offs, The Bantams have been able to absorb back-to-back losses and still maintain their Top 7 spot – which isn't something to be sniffed at. Despite this, things haven't looked entirely rosy in the garden. Defensive lapses, and the absence of Romoney Crichlow in particular, have hurt City – and led to Hughes making an early move ahead of the January transfer window with the signing of Irish free agent Ciaran Kelly.

Kelly will not be available until January, but will be training with the side. His arrival will send a clear message to underperforming defenders Matty Platt, Yann Songo'o and Timi Odusina, all of whom have disappointed of late. The defensive midfield duo of Richie Smallwood and Alex Gilliead will also be feeling the heat, as a transfer window will allow Hughes the chance to make ample changes should be able to get players out of the door.

Nonetheless, it's down to Bradford City to put down a marker should this game go ahead. The players must be keen to prove themselves capable if Hughes and Stephen Gent are to refrain from replacing them – because based on current form, Bradford City's position in the top 7 is, simply, untenable.

This really is a must win game in the truest sense.

Odds:

4/5: Bradford City
13/5: Draw
7/2: Rochdale

Predicted Outcome (THE VOICE):

Bradford City 3 – 0 Rochdale